Albay mayor held at NAIA over fake gun ban exemption

MANILA, Philippines - Police at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) prevented a mayor of Albay province from boarding a flight for Legaspi City yesterday morning after authorities found a gun and a fake gun ban exemption on his person.

Senior Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton said Malinao, Albay Mayor Avelino Ceriola surrendered his .45 caliber pistol upon entering NAIA Terminal 2, but the Aviation Security Group (ASG) found out from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that Ceriola is not among those exempt from the election-related gun ban, which runs from Jan. 10 to June 9.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said ASG police officers arrested Ceriola after he presented a fake Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence allegedly issued by Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, chairman of the poll body’s committee on the ban on firearms and security personnel.

Ceriola is currently confined at the ASG headquarters near NAIA Terminal 1. He will be brought to the Pasay City fiscal’s office for inquest.

The PNP is asking the Comelec to disqualify Ceriola.   – Rudy Santos, Mike Frialde